John cullen robertson



July 17, 192s. 1,677,294

' J. C. ROBERTSON INSLATOR SSEMBLING JIG Filed July-14, 1927 Patented July 17, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN CULLEN ROBERTSON, OF ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND, .ASSIGNOR T0 LOCKE INSU- LATOR CORPORATION, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, A CORPORATION OF MARY- LAND.

INSULATOR-ASSEMBLING JIG.

Application filed July 14, 1927.

The invention relates to apparatus used in the assembling ot multi-part insulators and has special reference to means for assembling insulators of the type embodying a plurality ot `porcelain shells adapted and intended to be secured in nested relation.V

The principal object of the invention, generally considered, isito provide means for centeringinsulator shells while they are being secured together by means ot cement applied in the usual manner as for instance by squirting it about and into the crevices at the joints.

lt well known that when the porcelain shells are dried and fired during the course oit their manufacture they frequently warp and become out of round so that their assembly into a unit becomes more or less ditli cult from the viewpointof accuracy. It is desirable that the shells beV nested in coaxial relation so as to avoid the bringing of any unequal strains upon dii'l'erent portions when in service. The usual method is to mount the lowermost shell upon a support and then nest the series of shells with respect to said lowermost shell and to one another, with wooden wedges or blocks interposed between the successive shells for the purpose ot maintaining them in the proper relation to one another while the cement is squirted and then afterwards permitted to set, the blocks or wedges remaining in place for a considerable period of time, that is for as long as necessary to eti'ect setting and hardening of the cement. rlhis requires hand Work y and is not accurate inasmuch as reliance is placed upon the trueness of the eye of the operator who generally simply squints at the assembly from different angles to ascertain when the shells are in alinement or coaxial relation. There is another object-ion to the usual method and that is in case the blocks drop out or are disturbed one or more of the shells may be thrown out ot line with respect to the others, necessitating resetting, it the cement is still plastic or discarding the assembly if the cement has setand hard- Vened. Furthermore, a large number of such blocks or Wedges are needed to efect the as sembling of an ordinary days Output of units.

Serial No. 205,830.

It is with all ot the above facts in view that I have designed the present invention which has for an important object the pro vision of a pedally and manually operable machine for the purpose of alining a plu rality of shells and holding them in axial relation and under a desired pressure while and, possibly, after the cement has been squirted in.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a device 'for this purpose in which one centering means is spring pressed so as to yield in accordance with variations in the degree oit extension of one shell beyond another, the various centering means being therefore relatively movable to compensate for manufacturing variations inthe same design of unit or variations in diii'erent designs, means being also provided whereby the centering means may be adjusted to meet different conditions and in accordance with differences in the diameters of the shells. v

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of this character provided with latch means whereby the parts may be held rigid so that pressure on the assembly may be maintained and any possible displacement of the parts prevented.

A further object is to provide a manually operable latch means cooperating with a plunger element so as lto be readily releas- `able therefrom to permit disconnection of the centering means from the assembly.

Still another object is to provide a machine o't' this character in which the moving parts may be counterbalanced so as t0 decrease the labor involved in moving them from one position to another.

An additional object is the provision of a machine of this character which will be simple and inexpensive to manufacture, easy to set up and operate as Well as adjust, positive in action, eflicient and dinablein service, and a general improvement in the art.

To the attainment ot the foregoing and other objects and advantages, the invention preferably consists inV the .details oi construction and the arrangement and combination of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying vdrawing in which:

y ingV members detached from the remainder of the machine.

Referring more particularly to the drawing I have shown the device as comprisingy a Vsuitable support indicated generally atl,

this support being capable of being construct'ed in any desiredmanner, and suitable material and of any preferred size. Mounted on this support, which may conveniently be of table or bench-like form, is a frame structure designated as a Whole, by the numeral 2 and includinga plat-form or base portion 3, an uprightor standard l and vertically alined bearing members 5 at the top vof the latter. I have also shown an upstanding support 6 suitably mounted on the standard 4' and having'connected therewith an arm 7 strengthened byl an inclined brace 8 secured thereto and to the upright orf standard t. Grroovedy pulleys 'or rollers 9 and 10 are preferably journaled upon the arm 'i' at the upper andi lower ends thereof and serve as j guide means for a chain 11, or other flexible esl member, carrying a Weight 12 and connected at 1'3 With. a plunger 11i slidable through the bearings', this plunger carrying the centering mean'sindicated as a whole at 15 and to be described in detail hereinafter. The pui-V pose of the pulley, iiexiblemember and Weight construction is simply to counterbalance the. Weight of the plunger 141-., centering means and yother. moving parts to be described so that. movementthereof will' be fa.-

. eilitated.

Siiitably mounted and preferably rotatable upon the base or platform portion 3 of the frame 'structure 2 is apreferably disk-like supporting member 1'6 having means 17 thereon for guidably receiving the reduced portion 18 of an insulator shell 19, and this member 16'is locatedcoaxially With respect to the plunger 14. The insulator here disclosed is represented as including not only the lshell or section 19 but other sections or shells 20, 21 and 22, the last named being the end'most. It will be understood that, as shovvn, all these shells are in inverted position as compa-red with their normal position when in service. All the sections are of such construction that they must be nested to be assembled.

The centering device is here disclosed as comprising a, hub member 23 adjust-ably mounted along the plunger 14 and adapted to'be secured in a selected position as by meansV of setv screws V24 or the like.V Radiating from this hub member are arms 25, prefend portions 27- of liook-like form adapted s' to engage within the open end of the shell 21. The degree of extension Vof these lingers 26 with respect to the arms 25 is intended to be variable and for this reason the fingersV are represented as threaded where they pass through the arms and equipped with nuts 28 bearing against opposite sides Vof the arms. In 'order that-the device may be used satisfactorily in connection with shells of different diametersthe arms 25` are preferably formedy Withfelongated slots -29 through which the tingerspass, it being evident that the lingers may therefore be moved radially with respect to the plunger and secured in such adjusted position.

The centering device further includes'a preferably tapered plug-like member 8() slidable on the plunger and adapted to tit WithinA the open end of the shell or section 22,

this member having an outstanding ila-nge 31V adapted to engage upon the edge of theshell to prevent it from slipping in to an excessive extent. 'l ne member is urged downwardly as by a coil spring 32 surrounding the plunger and having one end abutting against the member 30 and its other eiidabuttingl against an adjustable' stop collarv held as by aV set screiv 34. ln View' of this construction itV will beseen-that the member 3011s movable toward the hub and may have its position variedv with respectfto the hooklike ends 27 of the lingers so as to function properly even though there is a considerable variation in the extent of projection of the shell 22 beyond the shell 2l. The lower end of the lplunger is preferably tapered at 35 so as to correspond substantially to the usual insulator pin, notshoxvn, thisend of course engaging Within the pin receiving socket when the insulator parts are being assembled.

reach rod 41 is pivotally connected with the other end of the lever and `with an inllt) termediate point l2 in the length of a lever 43 located above the frame 2 and pivoted atY lt in some suitable manner as for example upon the brace 8. rlhe leverfll may be forked or may haveV an opening therein for the passage of the plunger 14 and this lever carries means to be described adapted to engage against a stop collar l5 adjustably mounted upon the plunger and held as by latch a set screw 46. The lever 43 is intended to be capable of manual operation for which reason it is disclosed as terminating in a handle 47. The operative connection between the lever and the stop 45 is here represented as including a latch plate 48 slidably mounted on the underside of the lever 43 and guided in its movement longitudinally thereof as by means of screws i9 or the like passing through slots 50 in the latch plate and threaded into tapped holes in the lever. Obviously', any equivalent guide means may be provided within the scope of the invention. The latch plate is here shown as having a guide plunger 51 at its outer end slidable through thev handle 47 and through a stop bracket 52 carried by the lever, the plunger 51 carrying an abutment washer or other similar element 53 engaging a coil spring 511 surrounding the plunger and confined between the washer and the bracket 52, this spring acting normally to urge the plate into engagement with the plunger at a point immediately above the stop collar 45 and in engagement with the latter. lhen the treadle 3o is in fully depressed position with the centering means in engagement with the insulator sections to be assembled it is highly desi able that it be maintained in suoli position without requiring constant pressure from the foot of the operator and for this reason I have provided holding means which may conveniently consist of a latch 55 pivoted at 5G upon the support 1 and 'adapted to be swung over and into engagement with the treadle as indicated in Figure 1.

In `the operation,`it is of course apparent that originally or initially the treadle 3G is in its uppermost position, the lever 43 being also in its uppermost position so that the plunger 14 will be elevated with the centering means 15 out of the way so that the operator may place the series of shells in liested relation and in position upon the member 16. The operator then either grasps the lever 43 and pulls it down or presses upon the treadle 3G to force it down, in either case the result being that the engagement of the latch plate 48 with the stop 415 will force the plunger 14 and centering means downwardly. When this occurs the tapered plug-like member 30 will engage within the open end of the section or shell 22, the spring being compressed as the plunger continues its downward movement. The movement is continued unt-il the hooked ends 27 of the fingers 26 engage within the open end of the shell or section 21. The lower-most section19 is held in proper position and in axial relation to the plunger by'means of the guides 17 carried by the member 1G. The member 3() centersthe shell or section S22 and the lingers 2G center the shell Q1. It may safely be assumed that the shell or section 2O will adjust or center itself inasmuch as it is conlined between the twoproperly centered shells 19 and After the downward movement of the centering i'neans has been completed, the latch 55 may be,

swung over the treadle to n'iaintain the parts stationary, all the insulator shell sections being consequently held in the proper assembled relation with pressure applied thereto. Cement for permanently securing the shell sections together is then introduced within or between the shells, the usual method being by means of a squirt gun similarto the grease guns used for applying lubricant to motor vehicles and the like. Details in this respect are unnecessary as they form no part of the present invention. As the member 1G is rotatable upon the base or platform 3 it is apparent that the entire assembly may be rotated by hand before, duringor after Vthe operation of injecting the cement and in this way it .is apparent that the operator may readily have accessv to the parts for insuring a uniform and proper distribution of the necessary quantity of cement. If preferred the pressure upon the treadle may not be made complete until after the cement has been injected in place and furthermore, if desired, if the treadlefis not latched down, the operator may alternately apply `and relieve the pressure on the treadle so as to jolt the assembly more or less rapidly and thereby cause the cement to settle in the cavities and about the stems of the successive shells, air bubbles being thus forced out so that the cement will be of uniform mass and solidity. A few moments may be permitted to elapse for the cement to start its hardening if preferred, though as a matter of fact the pressure upon the treadle may then be released and the `lever 43 swung upwardly to remove the centering means from engagement with the assembly, the entire assembly being then lifted oil' and out of the machine and set aside so that the cement will then set thoroughly and dry. Obviously, the pin, not shown, may be cemented in place before or after the assembly is removed from the machine, this detail being innnaterial. 1

From the foregoing description and a study of the drawing it will be apparent that I have thus provided a simply constructed, inexpensive and very easily operated machine by means of which the labor in assembling will he reduced and the work greatly expedited. In addition to the saving in time and labor the machine has 'the great advantage of insuring accuracy as the various shell sections are centered automatically instead of reliance being placed upon the eye of the operator. Canted asn semblies are practically an impossibility in 'the use of this apparatus unless of course an attempt is made to assemble sections which llO with respect toene another.`

are so seriously warped or .out of round asY toibo unfit for use. It is really believed thatJ the construction, operationfand advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art Without further explanation. l

Vhile I have shown and described a pre-V lier-red embodiment of the invention, it

n should be understood that the disclosure is merely an exempliiication of the principles involvedv as the right is reserved to' make all such changes in the details of construction as will widen the ltield of utility'and increase the adaptability oit the device'provided such changesconstit-ute no departure from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

Y Having thus described the invention, I claim:

l. In an insulator assembling jig, the combinaton of a support, means on the support for supporting a plurality of insulator seetions in nested relatioiunieans 'for applying pressure upon the insulator sections` axially thereof, and means for centering the sections 2. In an insulator assembling jig, aA supporting structure, means carried thereby for supporting a series of nested insulator sections, aplunger movably mounted coaxially ot said assembled sections, and. means carried by the plunger and engageable with certain of the sections for centeringthe same with respect to one another and to the supporting means.

8. In an insulator assembling jig, a supporting structure, means carried thereby for supporting a series' of nested insulator scctions, a plunger movably mounted coaxially ot said assembled sections, and means carried bythe plunger and engageable with certain ol the sections 'forv centering tliersaine with Vrespect to one another and to the sup}jiort-ing means, said centering means including' an element engageable within one endmost section and further including fingers engageable within the next adjacent section.`

4. In an insulator assembling jig, a sup`- porting struc-ture, means carriedv thereby for supporting ak series of nested insulator sections, a plunger movablyl mounted coaxially of' said assembled sections, and means carried by the plunger and engageable with 4*certain of the sections 'for centering the saine with respect to one another and to the supportingineans, said centering means includk ing an element engageable within one endniost section and Yfurther including fingers engageable 'within the nextradjacent section, said iingers being radially adjustable with respect to the plunger.

5. In an insulator assembling jig, a. supportingfstructure, means carried thereby for supporting a series ot nested insulator sections, av plunger movably mounted coaxially of said assembled sections, and,` means carried by the plunger and engageable with certain of the sections for centering the saine with respect to one another and to the supporting, means, said centering` means including an element engageable Within one endmost'section and i'urther including iingers engage able within the next adjacent section, said' lingers being radially adjustable with respect to the plunger and terminating in inwardly directed liool-like extensions.

6. InV ay machine o'l the character de-v g scribed, a support,'ineans mounted on the support for supporting` a plurality of insulator sectionsarrangedin nested relation, av plunger mounted above and longitudinally movable in coaxial relation to the sections, Y

connected with the plunger for moving the` same'downwardly.` c y A8. In a machine of the character described, a support, means mountedfon the support for supporting a plurality of" insulator sections arranged in nested relation, a

plunger mounted above and. longitudinally l movable in coaxial relation to the sections, centering means carried by the` plungeiffand engageable with the sections, lever means engageablewith the plunger, and pedal op-v erated means connected with thev lever for moving. the same downwardly. Y n v I '9.*In a` machine of the character' described, a supportingstructure, means on said structure ior supporting a plurality of insulator sections arranged in nested relation, a plunger longitudinally movably mounted in the supporting structure in coaxial relation to the'insulatorscctions, een` tering means on the plunger vengageable with the insulator sections, aA pivoted lever the. plunger, and footvoperated means for moving said lever downwardly.

.10. In a machine vot. they character described, .aV supporting structure, means on said structure ttor supporting a plurality of insulator sections arranged in nested re` lation, a plunger longitudinally movably mounted in the supporting structure in coaxial relation to the insulator sections,`ce` ii tering means on the plunger engageable Vhaving' a releasable latch connection with 'i with the insulator sections, a pivoted lever having a releasablelatch connection with the plunger, 'foot operatedV means for moving said lever downwardly, and counterbalancing means for the plunger and centering means carried thereby. l

1l. In a machine of the character described, a supporting structure, means on said structure tor supporting a plurality of insulator sections arranged in nested relation, a plunger longitudinally movably mounted in the supporting structure in coaxial relation to the insulator sections, centering means on the plunger engageable with the insulator sections, a pivoted lever having a releasable latch connection with the plunger, `toot operated means for moving said lever downwardly, counterbalancing means for the plunger and centering means carried thereby, and spring means normally urging the lever upwardly.

12. In a machine et the character described, a. supporting structure, means rotatable thereon tor supporting a plurality of insulator sections in nested relation, a plunger slidable and rotatable in the supporting structure in coaxial relation to said sections, centering means carried by the plunger, and means for moving the plunger vertically.

13.' In a machine of the character described, a supporting structure, means rotatable thereon for supporting a plurality of insulator sections in nested relation, a plunger slidable and rotatable in the supporting structure in coaxial relation to said sections, centering means carried by the plunger, means for moving the plunger vertically in cluding a pivoted manually movable arm located at the upper end or the plunger, and a treadle located at the lower portion of the supporting structure and operatively connected with the lever.

14. In a machine of the character described, a supporting structure, means mounted thereon :for supporting a plurality of insulator sections arranged in nested relation, a plunger vertically slidably mounted within the supporting structure and carrying centering means engageable with the insulator sections, adjustably spaced stop members on the plunger, a pivoted lever, and a grip released latching means on the lever engageable with the plunger between the stop means thereon.

15. In a machine et the character described, means for supporting a plurality of insulator sections in nested relation, a slidably mounted plunger -arranged in substantially coaxial relation to the insulator sections, and centering means carried by the plunger, the centering means including a hub member, a plurality of arms radiating therefrom, a central centering member slidable on the plunger, and a series of fingers carried by said arms and arranged outwardly ot' and in spaced relation to said central slidable member.

16. In a machine of the character described, means for supporting a plurality oi insulator sections in nested relation, a slid ably mounted plunger arranged in substantally coaxial relation to the insulator sections, and centering means carried by the plunger, the centering means including a hub member, a plurality of arms radiating therefrom, a central centering member slidable on the plunger, and a series ot fingers carried by said arms and arranged outwardly of and in spaced relation to said central slidable member, said arms being slotted and said fingers being radially adjustable along the slots.

17. In a machine of the character described, means for supporting a plurality ot' insulator sections in nested relation, a slidably mounted plunger arranged in sub stantially coaxial relation to the insulator sections, and centering means carried by the plunger, the ccnteringfmeans including a hub member, a plurality of arms radiating therefrom, a central centering member slidable on the plunger, a series of fingers carried by said arms and arranged outwardly oi and in spaced relation to said central slidable member, and means whereby said ingers may be adjusted to vary the projection thereof from said arms.

18. Means for centering a plurality oi nested :insulator sections, comprising means guidably receiving one endmost section, a plunger adapted to extend within the other endmost section, a spring pressed element slidable along the plunger and engageable within the second named end section, and a plurality of guide fingers carried by the plunger and engageable within an intermediate one of the sections.

19. In a machine of the character described, the combination of means :for guidably supporting one endmost one of a series of insulator sections arranged in nested relation, means extendible `within the other endmost section in substantially coaxial relation thereto, and a plurality of relatively movable elements engageable within certain of the sections for automatically centering the same with respect to one another.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JOHN CULLEN ROBERTSON. 

